enclosed or not?

Hi all, just registered today. I have been thinking of buying a cart for a couple of years now. I have visited quite a number of carts and spoken to the owners regarding advice, questions, etc. Not sure if I should opt for an enclosed cart or not. The advantage would be obvious, selling longer in the year, but is it worth the expense? Also, it is better to buy used or new for a first cart? How do you find the perfect location and what is the average start up cost? I would be only selling dogs and drinks. I would like to sell coffee, tea and hot chocolate, are they worth selling money wise? Any info. would be much appreciated.

There's a couple of threads that discuss what your asking...

I would definately go with enclosed if you could afford it.The reasons are obvious,as you stated.Your out of the elements,insects etc,you will have more storage room,and they are usually bigger with hand washing sinks.I would keep my eye out for a used one,keep checking ebay,and www.concessiontrailers.com ,and www.usedrides.com ,you will find a good deal if you look hard enough.Don't forget to check the local classifieds and want ad press type papers.I bought 2 Waymatic concession trailers,fully equipped at incredible prices from different people out of local classified papers.They are both around $40k each if I would have bought them new,and they were in great shape.As far as start up costs,some people have started in the concession business with used equipment for under a thousand dollars(some a lot less than that)and you can spend over $100k if you want a top of the line trailer with all the bells and whistles,it depends on your budget,where you plan to operate(some areas don't allow food vendors,or do not issue new permits,and some areas are vendor friendly).As far as location ,keep your eyes open for a spot with alot of people or traffic,where there is a spot to put your trailer(or cart) and people can pull over and buy from you.It sounds easier than it is,but if you are determined you will eventually find the right spot,and trailer.Its all about doing your homework,and keeping your eyes open and talking to people.As far as the hot drinks,they sell better in the colder months,but depending on where you are,they can sell good year round,especially if you develop a reputation for good coffee.I would look for a gas coffee urn if you are going to sell hot drinks,and try to keep as much as your equipment as possible gas fired,because some areas you will not have electric,and gas fired equipment makes you more mobile.You can run a generator,but in some places it will be too loud,and electric heated equipment draws a lot of electricity.
Good Luck!
Jim

I agree with Festivalfood.. I'd go with the enclosed. More of an investment, but your clear of the elements. Have an overhang for your customers to stand under... You basiclly have a mobile kitchen then... The extra sales should make up for the extra cost if your at the right location... Also, instead of running 8 or so months, you might be able to make a 12 month deal out of it... Again, depending on location... Wish you the best of luck, and keep us posted on your up's and downs! Plenty of people reading the threads looking for answers... Let us know the good, bad and ugly you come across.

I have only an interest and absolutely no experience in the area, but it seems to me that you'd do best with a dual agenda: look for a site while shopping for a cart. Maybe you could even get an option on the site; then you'd be moving when you hit the ground.

First of all, thanks for the comments. I have looked at several carts, both enclosed and not. The difference in cost is tremendous. I have also been looking at locations, it seems all of the hot spots are taken everywhere I have an interest. I was thinking about setting up at one of the local colleges, not sure if that would be profitable enough though. Even with the amount of hungry college kids, will they eat them often enough? I wanted to set up outside of a local hospital, but they wouldn't let me. I know someone who is doing that in another town and doing very well. I will keep on looking around and also ck. out other carts. Do you have to keep your food, supplies and also clean your cart daily at a place of business? I have been told that by a few vendors. I haven't called the health inspector yet, I guess I need to do that too soon.
Thanks again for the replys. I have been lurking for over a year and finally registered to ask questions.

The first order of any food business is CLEANLINESS... A cart even more so because everything is so compact and yet visible. A daily scrubbing is a most. A neighbor with a walkin van uses a small pressure washer and a dedicated hotwater heater cranked up to scalding along with a disinfectant for the interior, anything removable is cleaned outside, it takes about 45 minutes and his rig is always spotless.. The local health inspector also checks his storage facility, a stand alone walk in freezer, at least 3x a year.